Community Security [FCAR Best Practices]

REPORT #8 Community Security pbreastctices REPORT# 8 Community Security Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research practices Acknowledgements Thanks to each of the following individuals for their generous contributions to this report. Foundation Representatives Linda J. Schiff, CMCA, CTP, COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. Sandra Matteson-Pierson, LSM, PCAM, Capital Consultants Management Corporation Task Force Members Chuck Bartolomeo, INEX/ZAMIR Jonathan Caudill, The University of Texas at Dallas Kerry Colvett, The Wackenhut Corporation Michael Dean, CS Security and Sound Chuck Eberle, Applications by Design Brad Kofford, Community Controls Mark Montonara, Thorpe Enterprises, Inc. Bruce Zuest, CPP, Monument Security Inc. Contributors Richard Means, PCAM, CCAM, The Keys Condominium Owners Association Rick Sedivy, Doorking, Inc. Foundation Staff David Jennings, CAE, SPHR, Community Associations Institute Jacob B. Gold, CAE, Community Associations Institute Copyright and Use Permission ©Copyright 2014. Foundation for Community Association Research. 6402 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500 Falls Church, VA 22042 Readers are encouraged to download and reproduce the Best Practices Reports for community association managers, board members, individual homeowners, and community association-related industry profession- als without permission of the Foundation for Community Association Research provided the following terms are met: this document must be reproduced in its entirety including the use permission statement; and this document may not be added to, modified, amended, or otherwise altered from the original as presented here. Readers and users agree not to sell copies of this document or otherwise seek compensation for its distribution. “This document is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, account- ing, or other professional services. If legal or expert advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.”—From a Declaration of Principles, jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers. ISBN 978-0-941301-73-2 COMMUNITY SECURITY pbreastctices Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Foundation for Community Association Research are dedi- cated to conducting research and acting as a clearinghouse for information on innovations and best practices in community association creation and management. What are Best Practices? The Foundation for Community Association Research is proud to offer function-specific Best Practices Reports in the community association industry. The Foundation has devel- oped best practices in select topic areas using a variety of sources, including, but not lim- ited to, recommendations from industry experts and various industry-related publications. The outcomes of the Best Practices project include: • documented criteria for function-specific best practices; • case studies of community associations that have demonstrated success; and • the development of a showcase on community excellence. The benefits of benchmarking and developing best practices include: improving qual- ity; setting high performance targets; helping to overcome the disbelief that stretched goals are possible; strengthening cost positions; developing innovative approaches to operating and managing practices; accelerating culture change by making an organization look outward rather than focusing inward; and bringing accountability to the organization because it is an ongoing process for measuring performance and ensuring improvement relative to the leaders in the field. The Foundation’s entire catalog Best Practices Reports is available at www.cairf.org as a free download and for sale in CAI’s bookstore. pbreastctices Contents Introduction .......................................................1 Section 1 Your Association’s Obligation to Undertake Security Measures ....3 Section 2 Impact of Crime on the Community .........................5 Section 3 Developer Considerations. .7 Section 4 Security Services .........................................9 Section 5 Video Surveillance Systems. .12 Section 6 Alarm Systems ..........................................15 Community Perimeter Security Residential Security Section 7 Access Control Systems ..................................17 Controller Security Software Section 8 Vehicular Access Control .................................22 Resident Entrance Lanes Guest/Visitor Entrance Lanes • Radio Receiver/Transmitter System • Barcode Scanner Systems • Radio Frequency Transponders • License Plate Recognition Systems Exit Lanes Section 9 Pedestrian Access Control. 29 Section 10 Automated Vehicular Gate Systems .........................31 Swing Gates Slide Gates Barrier Gates Safety Considerations Emergency Access Choosing an Installer Case Studies ....................................................37 The Polo Club Laurel Oak Community Association Attachment 1: Checklist—Tips on Securing Your Community .............40 Attachment 2: Survey—Security Services ..............................41 Security Acronyms and Key Terms ...................................45 Additional Resources ...............................................47 About the Foundation and CAI .......................................49 COMMUNITY SECURITY Introduction A community association board has many responsibilities—setting goals and approving budgets; conducting open, fair, and well-publicized elections; organizing events that foster neighborliness and a sense of community, to name a few. But a board’s chief responsibilities, arguably, are to maintain and enhance the common areas and protect home values. Many communities seek to fulfill these responsibilities with security features, vendors, and systems that protect residents and property. The goal of this Best Practices Report is to give you an assessment and review of many community security systems and features—including useful tips and tools—to help meet residents’ crime prevention needs. Community security is not a one-size-fits-all venture. What may work for a high-rise condominium may not necessarily meet the needs of residents in a large-scale, planned community. A small, rural townhome association will approach community security needs and systems much differently than an urban, mixed-use development, which may employ security guards, video surveillance, and perimeter gating. Surveying residents about the community’s security needs, desires, and goals is an important first step in the decision-making process—to get a sense of the security level members need and want. A board must also take into definition of physical security consideration the community’s budget According to Whatis.com, physical security is “the and make decisions that align with the protection of personnel, hardware, programs, net- association’s financial and legal obliga- works and data from physical circumstances and tions and objectives. events that could cause serious losses or damage to There are many other key factors an an agency, institution or community. This includes association should consider when estab- protection from fire, natural disasters, burglary, lishing a community-wide security pro- theft, vandalism and terrorism. Breaches of physical gram, including: security can be carried out with little or no techni- cal knowledge on the part of an attacker. Moreover, • What potential for danger or crime exist in your area? accidents and natural disasters are a part of every- day life, and in the long term, are inevitable. • Are there any security-related require- ments in the governing documents or There are three main components to physical securi- local law? ty. First, obstacles can be placed in the way of poten- • What exactly and who specifically does tial attackers and sites can be hardened against acci- your community want to protect? dents and environmental disasters. Such measures can include multiple locks, fencing, walls, fireproof • Who will be responsible for researching, safes and water sprinklers. Second, surveillance implementing, maintaining, and evaluat- and notification systems can be put in place, such ing the security plan and system? as lighting, heat sensors, smoke detectors, intrusion • Does the community have a common detectors, alarms and cameras. Third, methods can communications network, such as a be implemented to apprehend attackers (preferably website or blog, so that all interested before any damage has been done) and to recover parties, e.g., board members, manage- quickly from accidents, fires or natural disasters.” ment, and residents, can weigh in? 1 • Are there any insurance considerations or security-related liability issues? • How will you measure whether a security system has produced superior results? • Other factors to consider: • Convenience • Community involvement • Safety improvement • Ongoing evaluation of program This report addresses various security-related options that are available to community associations, including security services, access control systems, alarm systems, gates, and surveillance systems. Along with suggestions about assessing the need for crime prevention, this Best Practices Report provides readers with professional, unbiased information about the most commonly used contemporary crime prevention strategies and a glimpse into the future of community-level crime

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